HUNDREDS of supporters of a Preston cancer charity turned up to see HRH Princess Alexandra - only to be told she had cancelled at the last minute.

The very next day the Princess was hitting the headlines in the tabloid press with news of her daughter, Marina's, marriage split.

Friends and patients of Vine House day care centre for cancer sufferers were looking forward to seeing the popular royal, but she ducked out at just 24 hours notice to spend time with her rebel daughter Marina - who has been hitting the headlines about her doomed marriage to Paul Mowatt.

But a smile was put back on the faces of the Vine House patients when Tracy Dawson - wife of the late comedian Les - stepped in at the last minute to take over from the Princess.

She spent hours chatting to cancer patients and their families, and enjoyed every minute. Tracy said: "They rang me on Wednesday evening to ask if I would step in, so I cancelled all my appointments for the next day. I had a wonderful time. I met such lovely people. It puts life into perspective when you visit a place such as Vine House."

And Tracy has vowed to visit them again, with her young daughter Charlotte.

Cancer support nurse, Jo Craven, said: "Tracy's warm personality shone through and made it a special day."

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